We Want FIFA
As an avid fan of the FIFA series and a proud owner of a PS3, I have been looking for updates regarding FIFA's debut on the PlayStation 3. I have yet to find any information on it, and I am now wondering, when is EA planning on releasing FIFA 08, and why haven't we seen any information on it whatsoever? Secondly, should we be expecting a release of EA's other sports franchises that were ignored in '07, such as NBA live in 2008?

--Jim

From this point forward, I expect to see every EA Sports title that comes out for the Xbox 360 also come out on the PlayStation 3. That includes the next NBA Live, the next NCAA Football, and the next everything else... including FIFA.

To answer your original question, though, FIFA has traditionally been announced in the summer time (July/ August months), so I don't think you'll hear anything on FIFA 08 until that time of year.

--Jeremy

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Oblivion Underscored
Hey, why did Oblivion PS3 get a lower score than the 360 version when you clearly state it has better graphics, framerate, and includes the Nights of the Nine? Everything else is the same great game so it should get higher score or at least the same number. That really irks me. Plus, you gave the presentation a whole point less when it's the same game. Seriously, it didn't get the recognition it deserves.

--Dillion

I received quite a few emails on this subject, which personally, I find humorous. You'd be surprised how often some people get upset because of a difference of 1/10th of a point for scores they had nothing to do with. Remember, this is our opinion and not yours (that's why people read the review in the first place), which is why we offer reader reviews and the ability to rate the game on your own: so that you can let other people know what you think. Why folks get upset over someone else's estimation as it relates to how much they like a videogame is just bizarre in the first place.

But let me respond directly to your original question. What the Xbox guys scored the game doesn't matter to me. When reviewing any title, our first service is to our readers. If I feel the game deserves a certain score then it's up to me to tell you about it; just as it's the responsibility of the Xbox and PC guys to do the same. A 9.2 is currently the highest rating we've given any title on the PS3 channel thus far; thereby making it among the best games on the system which comes a full year after the title's original release. I submit to you then that it received quite a bit of credit, despite your complaints to the contrary.

--Jeremy

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E3: What's the Deal?
I heard that it would it be any more E3 anymore. Is this true or not

--Neil

It isn't true. E3 has undergone some changes, yes, but it's still around. How's it different? To start, it's now held in July in Santa Monica instead of the LA Convention Center in May. The number of people attending has been downsized too. An estimated four to five thousand industry folk are going this year as opposed to the 50-80 thousand that showed up in earlier years. This population difference is because E3 is now an "Invite Only" event, whereas before it seemed that anyone who touched an electronic device once could get in for the right price.

Other changes to E3 include its presentational format (games will be showcased in a single hangar with restrictions on booth size), its appointment structure (publishers will now show off product in seven or eight hotels spread across a three-mile radius), and its importance (first parties will still make their big announcement, but third parties will unveil most of theirs at their own events prior to July or after the show at bigger venues like Comic-Con).

That last difference is a prediction not a fact, but I'm extremely confident in it.

--Jeremy

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Marvel's Ultimate Exclusive
Is the PS3 getting the extra downloadable content that the Xbox 360 is getting? You know, the pack with the Hulk and those others guys?

--Chin

I asked Activision about this yesterday, and as of right now the answer is "No." A spokesperson for the company wouldn't confirm that the new booster pack would be available anywhere else, but then again, they wouldn't deny the possibility either. Take from that what you will.

--Jeremy

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PS3 vs. Elite
Supposedly the Xbox 360 Elite has the answer in how to top the massive PlayStation 3, but let me get to the point.

1.) Is the PS3 totally inferior to the Elite? In what ways?

2.) Is the PS3 better in any way at all?

3) Can you predict if the PS3 will come out with a white or silver system (the ones we saw at E3) that will top the 360 Elite?

Thanks, and by the way, I envy you guys.

--Richard

Ah yes, the new Xbox 360 Elite -- let's get to business.

1.) In terms of what you get straight out of the box... yes, the PS3 is inferior because the Elite comes with a 120GB hard drive and the PS3 has only a 60GB. However, the PS3 is compatible with any serial ATA HDD device, so you could easily purchase a 120GB HDD of your own and install it to the PS3 if you choose (plus, you can get them for a hell of lot cheaper than the proposed $180 it costs to buy a 120GB HDD made specifically for the 360).

2.) This is a question I always hate to answer because it's such fanboy fuel. Both systems have advantages over the other in different areas, so it's pointless to try winning this pissing contest all the time. As your faithful mailbag guy, though, I will point out at least one way in which the system is superior -- it has Blu-ray, which can hold a lot more data than a standard DVD disc can.

3.) I do think you'll see other system colors yes. But how long before we'll get those alternate colors is hard to say. I wouldn't be surprised, however, if we saw at least one alternate color available in the next year or so.

--Jeremy

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Farewell For Now
There were two big game reveals on Thursday thanks to the debut of the long awaited trailer for Grand Theft Auto IV and our exclusive unveiling of WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008. With the number one and number two cross-platform titles now out of their bags, I'm interested to see what other companies are going to start offering up as we approach the late spring/ early summer months. It should be interesting...

Until next time,

Jeremy Dunham
Editor in Chief, IGN PlayStation Team
(Click here to check out my blog or to setup one of your own)